Sublime Mcilroy opens with a stunning 63 in the first round of the 25th Omega Dubai Desert Classic

The script unfolded true to form with Rory McIlroy making the most of the good conditions to take a two-shot lead as world number one Tiger Woods opened with a solid bogey-free 68 in Thursday’s opening round of Omega Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club.

The Northern Irishman, starting the day from the 10th tee, reeled off seven birdies and an eagle in his flawless nine-under 63, hailed by Stephen Gallacher, his playing partner and defending champion, as “sublime” display.
Italy’s Edoardo Molinari headed the chasing pack on a 65 as Ireland’s Damien McGrane, Matthew Baldwin of England, Richard Sterne of South Africa, Julie Quesne of France joined Scotland’s Gallacher in a tie for third a shot further back with world number one Tiger Wopods
“It was really nice. I played really well from tee to green, drove the ball well again; I think I only missed a couple of fairways and only missed one green where I had to really get it up and down,” said McIlroy, a two-time Major winner.

“I took advantage of how I am driving the ball and just need to do more of the same the next three days. This year I’ve shot a couple of good rounds. This is a little lower than I went in Abu Dhabi and I feel very comfortable with my game,” the winner of the 2009 Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
McIlroy’s score, which was two shy of the course record posted by South Africa’s Ernie Els in 1994, equalled his lowest opening round on the European Tour, although he failed to win any of the previous three events where he made such a start.
Woods, who is chasing his third win in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, felt he played all right. “I probably could have got a couple more out of it. I didn’t hit a bad putt today which was nice, it was just that sometimes the grain grabbed it pretty hard at the end,” said Woods who played alongside McIlroy and Gallacher.
The world number one may have finished the day five shots off the pace, but McIlroy described him a true pro. “He didn’t get off to the greatest start today, but he really managed his game well and started hitting a lot of good shots on the back nine,” said McIlroy.

Gallacher was equally delighted to begin his title defence with a 66 that featured an eagle on the par five 18th and a chip-in for birdie on the fifth.
“Me and Tiger had a couple of holes where we had great saves of par but it was one of those days where we took advantage of the conditions, it was quite benign,” Gallacher said.

“It was great to play with Tiger and Fred Couples in the Champions event on Tuesday, that eased me in and I knew what to expect.”
Italy’s Molinari, who ran off eight birdies, including five on the back nine, and an eagle on the par-4, second, felt he struck the ball very well.
“I’ve been hitting the ball very well lately, and especially off the tee. The only blemish on the card was 18 today and I actually didn’t commit to the shot. But apart from that, I think I hit every fairway all day.
 “Tomorrow I’ll be able to play in the morning with softer greens, and I think that’s going to be a big help tomorrow, because surely the greens will be firmer and firmer as the week goes by.”
Of the four MENA Golf Tour players in the fray, England’s Zane carded a 71 to keep alive his hopes of making the cut.
Stephen Dodd of Wales and debutant Lee Corfield of England both settled for a 75 while the Moroccan amateur Mustapha El Maouas, who is making his first appearance in the tournament, did his confidence the world of good with a 72. “I think I played well. Missed just one putt (on the 15th),” he said later.